Dental instrument



Jan. 5, 1937. R. E. BARR 2,066,313

DENTAL INSTRUMENT Filed July 5, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet l Inventor Fqz Z'Bwrr /I ttomey Jan; 5, 1937.

R. E. BARR 2,066,313

DENTAL INSTRUMENT Filed July 5, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 w lull/If V mu 4 111.11%

TIORNEYS Patented Jan. 5, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DENTAL INSTRUMENT Roy E. Barr, Childress, Tex.

Application July 5, 1934, Serial No. 733,909

3 Claims.

This invention relates broadly to dental in- In accordance with the present invention, an

instrument of the character above suggested is provided with improved handle means to facilitate the handling of the instrument; also with improved adapter means for accommodating the instrument to any suitable type of handle; and also to the provision of a novel and eflicient combination holder and switch for the instrument adapted to be arranged in circuit with the mouth light in such a manner that when the instrument is being handled for use the switch will automatically close for completing the circuit to the mirror and when the instrument is replaced on the combination holder and switch, the switch will be opened for interrupting the circuit to the light.

The present invention, together withits objects and advantages will be best understood from a study of the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figurel is a side elevational view of the instrument embodying the features of the present invention.

Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional view through the handle equipped end of the instrument.

Figure 3 is an elevational view of a clamp member.

Figure 4 is an end elevational view of a. socket member.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary elevational view of the handle.

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 2 of a slightly modified form of the invention.

Figure 7 is a view partly in section and partly in elevation 'of the combination holder and switch.

Referring to the drawings by reference numerals, it will be seen that in accordance with the present invention the dental instrument comprises a dental lamp ID of conventional manufacture, which same is provided at one end with an offset head Illa and at an opposite end with a contact-equipped stem l I adapted to be threaded into a threaded sleeve of conducting material arranged within a socket I2 of suitable insulating material.

Clamped to the elongated body portion of the 5 lamp I 0 is a split clamp I3 that is secured about the lamp I 0 through the medium of bolt and nut means l4. Diametrically opposite to the'bolt and nut means Hi the clamp I3 is provided with an apertured lug 13b with which is engaged the shank l6 of a dental mirror II, the same being arranged in proper operative position to the end or head Illa of the lamp [0. The nut-equipped portion of the clamp I3 is also provided with jaw portions l3a which serve to clamp there- 15 between a portion of an air tube I5 that, at one end, is formed integral with a dental air syringe lSa. The free end of the tube I5 is threaded into the plug I2 as shown in Figure 2 to communicate with an air passage I! provided in said plug.

Also suitably arranged in the plug I2 is a spring pressed contact member l8 that is adapted to engage with the contact on the stem ll of the lamp as shown in Figure 2. I

A substantially channel shaped circular contact member I9 is embedded in one end of the plug I2 and. a conductor wire 20 has its opposite ends respectively in electrical engagement with the conductor sleeve arranged in the socket l2 and the circular contact member I9.

At the last named end thereof, the plug I2 is also provided with a flange 2i behind which 7 engages a flange provided on one end of a coupling sleeve 22.

In the form of the invention shown in Figures 1 to 5 inclusive there is provided for the instrument a suitable handle 23 which latter is divided longitudinally into two complemental sections secured together by rivets or other suitable fastening means 24. At one end thereof, the handle 23 is provided with a lateral head one end of which is threaded for screw-threaded engagement with the coupling sleeve 22 as at 25.

The head-equipped end of the handle is also provided with an air passage therethrough that is in communication with the passage H in the plug I2 through the medium of an angular passage formed in a member 26 of conductor material embedded in the flange equipped end of the plug I2. The member 26 has a rounded end or head portion fitting in a concave socket provided in one end of a conductor sleeve 21 arranged within the head-equipped end of the handle 23.

Also arranged in the head-equipped end of the there is also provided in the head equipped end of the handle 23 a suitable needle valve structure 30 including a casing having connected therewith an air tube 3| that extends through the handle and at one end is suitably coupledas at 82 with a flexible air hose leading from a suitable source of supply. The exposed portion of the said air hose and the wires 29 are arranged-in a suitable sheathing 34 provided with a suitable spring wrapping 35 to prevent crimping of the wires and air hose during a use of the instrument;

The valve 30 is spring pressed as shown, and for opening the valve there is provided a suitable lever 38 pivoted as at 31 and operating in a suitable slot or groove 38 provided therefor in the handle. Obviously, by squeezing the hand used in holding the instrument, lever 36 will be drawn inwardly of the groove or channel 38 in a manner to open the valve 30 and permit air under pressure to pass therethrough and through the passage vi'l andtube l5 to discharge from the syringe lid in the usual manner.

'. apart and thusseparate the contacts 4. which are suitably mounted on the shanks 41 withinthe socket 40, the-contacts of course being suitably insulated from the shanks. The wires II are connected at one end to the contacts 4! so that obviously when the contacts are closed, as will bethecasewhentheinstrumcntisinusathe to normally urge the laws 48 inwardly towards one another to engage the contacts one with the other for completing thecircuit.

It will thus be seen that when the instrument is removed from between the jaws 44, the circuit to the lamp will be closed and will remain closed during use of the instrument. when the It will also be apparent that the sleeve 22 provides for a swivel connection between the handle and the plug 12 thereby permitting a rotational adjustment of the plug and associated parts with respect to the handle. H

In the form of the invention shown in Figure 6, instead of swivelly connecting the handle directly to the member I2, thereis provided, for the purpose of adapting the instrument to other types of handles, an adapter II which, like the handle 23, is provided with the conductor sleeve 21a and spring pressed contact member 24a, and to the sleeve 21a and the contact member 24a are-connected the wires of a conductor cord "a.

The adapter 39 is adapted for threaded con-' nection with the sleeve 220 at one end, and at.

an opposite end acts as a reduced threaded portion 40 of suitable diameter adapted to be threaded into one end of any suitable type of handle, the same being suggested in broken lines indicated by the reference numeral 4|. If desired, any suitable valve means may be provided in the handle 4| for controlling the supply of air under pressure to the syringe. V

Also in this form of the invention there is provided for the cord 29 a suitable shield 42 between which and a portion of the handle the cord 29a is received, the shield v42 being held in position through the medium of screws or other suitable fastening devices 44.

For use with both forms of the invention is a combination holder and switch of the type sug gested in Figure 7. This combination holder and switch'comprises, in the preferred form thereof, a base member 45 of any suitable material and adapted to rest firmly on a support or any other suitable device provided forthat purpose. The member 45 is provided with a socket 48 in which are accommodated the shanks 41 of jaw members 48 that extend upwardly from the member." and are adapted to receive therebetween the instrument in a manner to cause the laws 48 to spread instrument, after use, is placed between the Jaws 48 so as to-spread the jaws apart, the contacts 49 will also be moved out of engagement with one another for interrupting the circuit to the lamp.

What is claimed is: g

1. A'dental device embody! an electric light bulb, and a dental mirror mounted on the bulb, a handle, a plug provided with a socket for threaded reception of the stem of the light bulb, a handle, means swivelly connecting the handle and plug together, inter-engaging contact means on the plug and handle at the joint therebetween,

for maintaining a circuit to the bulb, and a syringe nozzle mounted on the plug.

2. A dental device embodying an electric light bulb, and a dental mirror mounted on the bulb,

a handle, a plug provided with a socket for threaded reception of the stem of the light bulb, a handle, means swivelly connectingthe handle and plug together, and inter-engaging conand handle whereby-during rotational adjust ment of the head the circuit to the bulb and the streamto the nomle will be unaffected.

3. In an instrument of the class described;

a socket member, a-dental light having a stem screw-threaded into said socket, a dental mirror respectively mounted on said bulb, contact means provided in the socket, a syringe nozzle mounted on said socket, conduit means for the syringe nozzle provided in the socket, an adapter, contact means on the adapter, engaging the first named contact means for maintaining a circuit for the dental light, conduit means provided in the adapter alining with the conduit means in the socket for maintaining an uninterrupted flow of air to the syringe nozzle, means swivelly connecting the adapter and socket together, and a handle adapted tobe rigndly'connected with the adapter.

ROY E. BARR. 

